United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SEATTLE, WASH-- - A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment on August 18, 2011, charging 18 subjects involved in a Sinaloa, Mexico drug trafficking organization with multiple conspiracy and/or firearms charges. The organization was smuggling heroin and methamphetamine into Arizona, and then transporting it for distribution as far east as Alabama and Ohio, and as far north as Western Washington.

The investigation of the Olais Rocha organization began in 2009, through efforts of the Drug Enforcement (DEA) and the South Snohomish County Narcotics Task (SSCNTF). Members of the organization smuggled drugs across the border from Mexico, to a stash house in Arizona. The drugs were transported from Arizona to the Seattle area, and elsewhere, for distribution. During the course of the investigation, members of the conspiracy discussed a contract killing of unknown persons in Mexico.

On May 12, 2011, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 18 subjects with multiple counts of conspiracy charges. Agents and officers moved in on June 3, 2011, and arrested 15 of those named in the indictment and seized eight pounds of crystal methamphetamine, seven pounds of heroin, more than $174,000 in cash, nine firearms and ten cars.

Fifteen of the 18 indicted were arrested and will be arraigned on the superseding indictment during the week of August 22, 2011:

Orlando Olais Rocha, 31, Lynnwood, WA Everardo Olais Rocha, 27, Lynnwood, WA

Heriberto Perez Ruiz, 29, Puyallup, WA

Eleno Sepulveda Acosta, 25, Puyallup, WA

Santos Segundo Gerardo, 21, Tuscaloosa, AL

Mitzy Patino Leon, 21, San Luis, AZ

Jose Martin Villa Rivera, 31, Lynnwood, WA

Jacqueline C. Villa, 28, Lynnwood, WA

Raul Alfaro Munoz, 35, Everett, WA

Julio Cesar Villafana, 32, Everett, WA

Luis Fernando Soto Baez, 24, Marysville, WA

Edgar Omar Hernandez Valdez, 24, Marysville, WA

Ernesto Millian Velderrain, 48, Everett, WA

Brian Batts, 48, Snohomish, WA

Geoffrey Wright, 42, Everett, WA

Last Thursday’s superseding indictment added two federal firearms charges against two of the leading defendants. Orlando Olais Rocha and Everado Olais Rocha were charged by the grand jury with two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These charges involve six firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, which were seized from a duplex in Puyallup and an apartment in Lynnwood. The new firearms charges are in addition to three previously charged counts alleging conspiracy to import methamphetamine and heroin, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

If convicted on the drug counts, the defendants face a mandatory term of imprisonment of at least ten years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10 million, a term of supervised release following imprisonment of at least five years, and forfeiture of all drug proceeds and facilitating property. If Orlando and Everardo Olais Rocha are convicted of the newly added firearms offenses, they will face an additional mandatory five-year sentence which must run consecutively to the sentencing imposed on the drug offenses.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved.